170. Circular Telegram From the Department of State to Certain Diplomatic Missions1
477. (Following based on uncleared memcon.)2 Secretary had cordial meeting with FonMin Meir New York September 28.
Conversation at outset dealt at some length with roles and personalities of Castro, Nkrumah, Nehru, Koirala, Hussein and Nasser. Re latter Mrs. Meir was predictably bitter, decrying particularly possibility that country (UAR) led by one who had called so repeatedly for elimination by force of fellow UN member (Israel) might obtain Security Council seat this session.
On refugee problem, which emerged as principal substantive topic, Secretary stressed difficulty US encountering obtaining funds from Congress for care of refugees in absence progress towards solution. [Page 376] In reply, Mrs. Meir spoke in strong terms of (1) dangers inherent for Israel in readmission even token number refugees, (2) Israel’s firm opposition to any enlargement PCC, (3) Arab refusal proceed with resettlement which constituted only feasible solution refugee problem, and (4) desirability avoiding, if possible, any discussion these issues at current UNGA. Mrs. Meir reiterated, however, Israel’s willingness play part in any reasonable effort resolve refugee problem even before final peace established.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 784A.13/10–160. Confidential; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Crawford on September 30, cleared with Hamilton and Eilts, and approved and signed for Herter by Jones. Sent to Tel Aviv, Beirut, Amman, Cairo, and Jerusalem and pouched to London and USUN.↩
- A copy of this memorandum of conversation, SecDelMC/69, is ibid., Conference Files: Lot 54 D 559, CF 1766.↩